Health care changes will affect Alabama

The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:34 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | New insurance markets called exchanges are set to open this fall as part of the new federal health care law. But Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has said the state will not set up an exchange, which means Alabama's will be run by the federal government. How the changes might affect Alabama:

Q: How many people are uninsured in Alabama?

A: About 660,000, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Q: How many Alabamians are served by Medicaid and how many more will be served if Alabama chooses to expand Medicaid?

A: About 900,000 are served by Medicaid in Alabama. Bentley has decided not to expand Medicaid.

Q: How much money has Alabama received so far from the federal government to do the initial work in setting up an exchange?

A: Alabama was authorized to receive $9.6 million, but spent less than $3.5 million, said Jennifer Ardis, the governor's press secretary.

<p>MONTGOMERY | New insurance markets called exchanges are set to open this fall as part of the new federal health care law. But Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has said the state will not set up an exchange, which means Alabama's will be run by the federal government. How the changes might affect Alabama: </p><p>Q: How many people are uninsured in Alabama? </p><p>A: About 660,000, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. </p><p>Q: How many Alabamians are served by Medicaid and how many more will be served if Alabama chooses to expand Medicaid? </p><p>A: About 900,000 are served by Medicaid in Alabama. Bentley has decided not to expand Medicaid. </p><p>Q: How much money has Alabama received so far from the federal government to do the initial work in setting up an exchange? </p><p>A: Alabama was authorized to receive $9.6 million, but spent less than $3.5 million, said Jennifer Ardis, the governor's press secretary.</p>